acromegaly Flashcards

1
Q

define acromegaly?

A

constellation of signs and symptoms caused by hypersecretion of GH in adults

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2
Q

what is excess GH in children called?

A

gigantism

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3
Q

what is the main cause of acromegaly?

A

GH-secreting pituitary adenoma

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4
Q

what sometimes causes acromegaly?

A

ectopic GHRH or GH production from tumours

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5
Q

what is the epidemiology of acromegaly?

A

RARE

ages 40-50

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6
Q

what are the presenting symptoms of acromegaly?

A
- onset is gradual 
•	Rings and shoes becoming tight  
•	Increased sweating and oily skin caused by sweat gland hypertrophy   
•	Features of a pituitary tumour = 
o	Hypopituitarism  
o	Headaches 
o	Bitemporal hemianopia 
•	Raised prolactin 
o	 galactorrhoea
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7
Q

signs of acromegaly on the hands?

A

o Large spade-like hands
o Thick greasy skin
o Carpel tunnel syndrome signs
o Premature osteoarthritis

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8
Q

signs of acromegaly on the face?

A
o	Prominent eyebrow ridge  
o	Prominent cheeks  
o	Broad nose bridge  
o	Prominent nasolabial folds  
o	Thick lips  
o	Increased gap between teeth 
o	Large tongue  
o	Prognathism 
o	Husky resonant voice
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9
Q

what visual changes might there be?

A

o Bitemporal hemianopia

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10
Q

what changes might there be in the neck?

A

o Multinodular goitre

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11
Q

what might happen to the feet?

A

o Enlarged

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12
Q

what is the first line investigation for acromegaly?

A
  • Serum IGF-1

- this is because GH stimulates IGF-1 secretion

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13
Q

what is the confirmatory investigation for acromegaly?

A

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

75g of oral glucose

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14
Q

what other investigations might be done?

A
  • pituitary function tests

- MRI of the brain

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15
Q

first line treatment for acromegaly?

A

trans-sphenoidal surgery is FIRST LINE

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16
Q

what might be the first line medical treatment of acromegaly?
how does this work?

A

Somatostatin Analogues
eg. octreotide
• Directly inhibits the release of growth hormone

17
Q

what might be the medical treatment of prolactinomas?

A

o Oral Dopamine Agonists

bromocriptine, cabergoline

18
Q

how do GH antagonists work?

A

• Prevents the dimerization of the GH receptor

19
Q

how can acromegaly be monitored?

A

• GH and IGF1 levels can be used to monitor disease control

20
Q

what are the CVS complications of acromegaly?

A
o	Cardiomegaly  
o	Hypertension 
o	cardiomyopathy 
o	left ventricular hypertrophy 
o	arrhythmia
21
Q

what are the resp complications of acromegaly?

A

o Obstructive sleep apnoea

22
Q

what are the GI complications of acromegaly?

A

o Colonic polyps

23
Q

what are the reproductive complications of acromegaly?

A

o Hyperprolactinaemia

24
Q

what are the metabolic complications of acromegaly?

A
o	Hypercalcaemia 
o	Hyperphosphataemia 
o	Renal stones  
o	Diabetes mellitus  
o	Hypertriglyceridaemia
25
Q

what are the psychological complications of acromegaly?

A

o Depression

26
Q

prognosis for patients with acromegaly?

A
  • GOOD with early diagnosis and treatment

* Physical changes are irreversible